Located in Longmont, Arcanus is Colorado's only Victorian style Tarot parlor, providing personal readings, classes, and seances in a comfortable and discreet location. Please visit www.arcanusmagickus.com for further information.
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Yet it wasn't until the late 1700s
that Tarot cards became strongly connected to fortune telling, psychic powers,
or the occult. The writings of Antoine Court de Gebelin in 1781 were hugely
influential on the public image of the Tarot deck. An amateur scholar, Gebelin
suggested that the pictures on the Tarot deck were related to occult Egyptian
hieroglyphics. As mentioned before though, this was pure romantic history being
written.

Tarot
divination really gained popularity during the 19th century, spurred on by a
growing interest in psychic spiritualism. Everyone was holding séances, Houdini
was busy debunking the Mediums, and ghosts and fairies were everywhere. People
became very interested in the Tarot, Runes, Pendulums, Ouija Boards, and
everything related to metaphysics.

This is about the time that the Rider-Waite-Smith
Tarot deck was produced (created in 1909 to be exact). If you are vaguely aware
of this deck, you will notice that I called it “Rider-Waite=Smith” instead of
simply “Rider-Waite” as it is commonly known. The reason for this is that
Pamela Smith is the lady who produced the artwork for this deck, but because of
the culture of the times, only the man involved in the project, A.E. Waite, and
the publisher, the Rider Card Company, were credited in the name of the deck. This
is now often considered the "standard" deck in the English world. It
is certainly the one that most people are familiar with, and can be purchased
at any major book store or metaphysical shop, or even on Amazon!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Tarot's origins are perhaps as
misunderstood as the mystical symbols on the cards themselves. One of the
earliest decks of Tarot cards to be documented was a hand-painted set created
around 1440 for the Duke of Milan. However, these cards were not used for
intuitive or ‘reading’ purposes as the Tarot cards of today are. They were used
for a card game similar to bridge, and as a muse to inspire and create entertaining
poetry.

Lots of people through the ages
have promoted the images and text on some of the early decks as having really ancient
origins or gypsy ancestry. We have all seen the movies about the early gypsies
traveling around in their wagons reading peoples fortunes with Tarot cards, and
several ‘scholars’ even claimed to have ‘proven’ that the Tarot was developed
by the priests in ancient Egypt! While
these tall tales are all very nice, and some are even convincing, they are all
romanticized versions of how the cards came to be in the form that we now know
them. Most serious sources agree that the roots of these symbolic cards can be
traced to traditional playing type cards, developed for traditional card games
popular at the time.

The Tarot deck itself is actually
made up of two decks, which are called Arcana’s. The “Minor” Arcana has fifty
six cards that fall into four suits, and is likely the predecessor of the
modern deck of cards that we are familiar with. These cards are numbered one
through ten, and the reason that it has fifty six cards instead of fifty two is
that each set of court cards has the usual Knight (Jack), King, and Queen, plus
an additional card called the ‘Page’, who is the messenger to the court. This deck
was used to play games that would be recognizable even today. The ‘Major’
Arcana is a deck of twenty two cards numbered zero through twenty one that
carry images such as ‘The Fool’, ‘The Magician’, ‘The Lovers’, etc. This deck
was created later and added into the larger deck to be used as trump cards in
games that require that.

Now you may ask, if this was a deck
of cards used for playing games, when did it turn into a deck of cards used for
divination? I will explain that, but be warned, there are a few references
coming up to writings and people with very long and possibly funny names, but we’ll
get through it quickly!

Divination using playing cards is documented
as early as 1540 in a book entitled “The Oracles of Francesco Marcolino da
Forli”. Manuscripts from 1735 (The Square of Sevens) and 1750 (Pratesi
Cartomancer) document simple divinatory meanings for the cards, as well as a
system for laying out the cards. Giacomo Casanova wrote in his diary in 1765
that his Russian mistress frequently used a deck of playing cards for
divination; but that tale has far more interest to it than what applies to just
the cards!

Mr. Perez and
Mr. MacKenzie lead the group through the beginning areas of the Tarot. This includes history,
usage, and an introduction to both the cards and a complete system on how to begin using
them. There is plenty of one on one time and practice sessions. Everyone receives a course
book and study material. Either bring your own favorite deck or one can be purchased or
borrowed for the class. This is a fun and educational 2hour class at only $35 per person
and is limited to eight students so that everyone receives the individual attention they
deserve. Use the link below to sign up! Arcanus will contact you to confirm!

This is a 30 minute session over the phone. This is a fairly full
reading where we can answer questions and go into a good bit of detail.
Phone readings are booked about a week ahead of time. Paid in advance.

Private sessions are where we can meet face to face and go into the best
detail. These sessions are $50 per half hour (up to 90 minutes) at the Arcanus Intuitive Tarot Reading Parlor in Longmont. I can also travel to your location (minimum 60
minute reading) in the Boulder / Longmont area, or further with a travel
allowance. Usually booked about two weeks ahead of time. $25 Deposit required for office visit.

Invite 6 - 10 of your best friends over. We will do an introduction to
the Tarot for the group, and keep the focus of the evening on
metaphysical discussions - or it can just be cocktail hour! Everyone
will receive a nice 10 minute reading!
The fee is only $25 per person for 6 to 10 friends, and the hostess/host
gets a FREE reading! Three weeks advance booking.
Note: This is a specific themed party. If you are holding a Birthday
party, etc, please see the next item . . .

Birthday parties, Bachelorette parties, Halloween parties, you name it!
Although I am a serious private reader, I understand the needs and
atmosphere of a party or event, and the emphasis is always on ensuring
that your guests are amazed and entertained! Make your next event
something your guests will remember for a very long time!
Standard event fee is $150/hr. Two hour minimum booking for
events/parties. Travel allotment applies dependent upon location.
Minimum 3 weeks advance booking. Deposit required.

DETAILS!

To get all the details and find out how to book a service, just visit my website www.privatetarot.com!
Always try to book as early as possible, as my calendar for private readings and events stays pretty full!
I very much look forward to seeing you in the future!